Laundry machine



April 19, 1932. G, R KELTIE l v1,854,745

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed July 25. 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 April 19, 1932. G. R. Kl-:LTIE

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed July 25, 192s 2 Sheets-Sheet .funn

Patented Apr. 19, 1.9.32

UNITI-:DV STATES PATEN'I OFFICE GEORGE B. KELTIE, 0F WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAN'D, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN WBINGER CO., INC., OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE YIsLAND LAUNDRY MACHINE Application iled July 25,

Y M invention relates to laundry machines, speclically to various parts thereof and the method of their manufacture. v

My invention includes a novel type of tank and its method of manufacture, specifically adapted for use in laundry machines. I preferably provide the entire interior of the washing machine tank and all parts of the washing machine normally underneath the water surface therein in contact with the clothes with an elastic surface preferably formed by a thin layer of rubber attached to the surface thereof'and preferably vulcanized thereto.

Hitherto washing machinetanks have consisted of copper tanks tinned lor otherwise rust proofed on the inside. Attempts: have been made to employ a cheaper steel tank covered with a layer of'zinc or other rust proof metal. It has been found that this metallic rust proof layer does not stay on a long time during the rough treatment the clothes receive in washing. I therefore preferably ern-- ploy as the metal of the tank al metal to which a. rubber layer may be vulcanized, such as steel, and vulcanize a thin layer of rubber thereto preferably one which is resilient or elastic. It is common knowledge that clothes do not last as long -in modern washing machines as they did with the old fashioned hand method of washing. This is apparently duer to the great speed which the agitators are run in practice, beatin the clothes many times with a hard metallic or other surface. Thus I provide the agitator with a resilient surface and by providing the tank with a resilient surface I believe I am enabled to providey a novel method of washing, which comprises effecting a contacting engagement of the clothes with elastic surfaces only while they vare in the cleaning liquid. I also prevent a metallic surface which tends to rust or tear the clothes from touching the clothes during the automatic washing or a wooden surface which tends to -splinter or tear the clothes from touching the clothes during the washing y ering of rubber vulcanized to a portlon therey of such as the interior willact as a resist to opera-tion. i

' A further advantage of a rubber surface on the interior of the tank and the agitating 1928. Serial No. 295,173.

machines with a similar elastic covering specifically a covering of rubber with the above delineated advantages. While I am aware that others have provided washing machines with rubber on the base thereof, so far as I am aware no onevhas hitherto covered completely the entire interior of a washing machine tank with a smooth rubber surface on all parts thereof normally in contact with the clothes. l An additional advantage of my invention, particularly where a bearing for attaching the agitator is mounted on the bottom of the tank is to eliminate the necessity of 'an additional gasket for the bearing.

' 'A further feature of my invention, which is I believe new in tanks broadly is to provide a tank which is entirely rust proof and which has an elastic .covering on a portionA A further feature of my invention resides in my method of making such a rust proof tank which so far as I am aware has not hitherto been emploved in this specific application of manufacturing tanks with a metallic outer covering, namely that of a covprevent electrodeposit of 'the-metal la er thereon. It is thus possible therefore to t cover the desired portion of the tank with a rubber layer and then to immerse the entire tank in an electro-plating bath without any additional later step of removing the elec- .trodeposit from the desired elastic rubber surface. Y

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a modern type of automatic electrically driven washing machine withv the tank thereof partially broken away to show the agitating means and rubber lining on the exposed surface of the interior of the tank and said agitating means.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the tank with the agitating means shown in section.

- Figs. 3-7 illustrate various steps in the process of manufacturing my improved metallic outer lined and elastic interior lined tank, Fig. 3 being a diagrammatic sectional view of a plain steel tank, Fig. 4 being a diagrammatic sectional view of said steel tank having a thin rubber layer laid adjacent the interior surface thereof, Fig. 5 being a diagrammatic sectional view of such a tank having the rubber lining vulcanized to the vinner surface thereof, Fig. 6 being a diagrammatic sectional view of such a rubber lined tank having a layer of metal electrodeposited lon the exposed surface thereof and Fig. 7 being a sectional view of a complete tank.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, 10 generally indicates a modern type of electrically driven automatic washing machine having the usual clothes tank 12, and the usual agitator 14 in the interior thereof suit-l ably oscillated in opposite directions by the osclllat-ing gearing 16 driven in any suitable manner by themotor 18. If desired a wringer 20 suitably driven b the additional gearing 22 may be attache vto the top thereof.

Asstated my invention specifically includes such a washing machine containing the tank 12 adapted to receive clothes in a cleaning liquid 24 having suitable agitating means for said clothes contained within, such as the agitator 14, all parts of said tank l2 and agitating means 14'normal1y in contact with the clothes durinthe operation of the machine having a smoot resilient covering. l

L As stated hitherto much of the Wear and tear of the modern type of automatic washing machines on the clothes has been due to the metallic or lwooden surfaces thereof rubbing and striking against the clothes to tear and 00 Wear them. As I preferably cover the agitating means and the interior of the tankv With an elastic surface I provide a novel method of washing clothes which comprises effecting ay contacting engagement of the clothes l with the smooth resilient surfaces thereof,V

While immersed in the cleaning liquid. While any type of elastic surface may be employed on the interior of the tank I preferably vulcanize a thin layer of rubber thereto for this purpose. This in addition provides a slippery surface which results in the clothes not sticking or becoming torn and in a more thorough agitation thereof and it is well known `in addition that a rubber surface'is acid proof and proof against strong alkalies as are often present in the present day type of laundry soaps, or cleaning substances often employed.

A further feature of my invention consists in covering the agitating or other means employed contained within the tank normally in contact with the clothes with a similar elastic surface with the same advantages portrayed above for the interior surface of the tank and I provide the elastic lined agitating means in combination with altank having an elastic lined interior to more effectively secure said advantages. L

. As shown more particularly in Fig. 2 moet washing machine tanks are provided with a hole 26 in the base thereof adapted to receive a bearing 28 lfor mounting an agltator shaft thereon provided with a circumferential flange 30 overlapping the interior of the tank above said hole and secured to the base 32 of the tank around said hole preferably by means of the bolts 34. When my improved elastic covering 36 on the base of the tank is v ioo its improved-method of manufacture. I am thus enabled to provide a tank adapted for various uses having a smooth rubber covering on-a portion of the surface thereof and a metallic layer coated on the outer surface thereof specifically the smooth rubber covering 36 vulcanized to the interior thereof and the'electrodeposited metallic layer 3f? on the exterior thereof. The electrodeposited metallic layer preferably consists of a rust proof metal to make the entire tank rust proof. Figs. 3-7 illustrate my improved method for covering such a tank. In Fig. 3 I have shown the tank 12 which is preferably manufactured of steel to which rubber may be readily vulcanized. I then as shown in Fig. .4 lay a rubber layer 36 around the desired portion of the interior thereof and as shown in Fig. 5 I preferably suitably vulcanize the rubber layer to the interior of the tank 12 in a suitable vulcanizing mould 38 heated by the steam introduced through the pipe 42. I have dismetal on such a rubber surface and I have dislcovered that it is therefore possible to electrodeposit a metallic layer such as a rust proof 1 metallic layer from the anode 44 to the cathode which in this caseconsists of the metal tank 12 itself preferably suitably mounted during electroplating on the standard 46.

The electrodeposited layer 37 of the desired 1 5 thickness may be suitably coated thereon in the usual manner by varying the strength of the bath, the voltage of the electroplating current and the time of the electrodeposit. Fig. 7 illustrates a tank subjectedv to the o process just ,described infinished form. It

is'obvious that such a tank is entirely rust proof having the rubber layer 36 vulcanized to the interior thereof, and the rust proof metallic layer 37 vulcanized to the exterior 25 thereof and it is also obvious that such a tank is adapted for use in llaundry machines with the splashing of washing and damage of rust staining'the clothes attendant therein.

It is thus obvious that I have provided a I novel type of washing machine, a novel type of tank for use therein, a novel type of agitator for use in washing machines preferably in combination with said elastic lined tank, a novel tank adapted for use in any purpose having an elastic lined portion and a metal coated portion and the novel method of its manufacture. i It is understood thatmy invention is not tions may be made therefromv Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

` What I claim is: v

1. A clothes washing machine comprising a tank adapted to receive a cleaningliquid and agitating means for said clothes contained within, all parts of said tankand agitating means normally in contact with the clothes A during the operation of the machine having smooth resilient surfaces.

2. A clothes washing machine comprising a tank adapted to receive a cleaning liquid and agitating means for4 said clothes contained within, all parts of said'tank and agitatng means normally in contact with the clothes during the operation of the machine lhaving a smooth thin rubber covering vulcanized thereto.

3. In a washing machine, a washing tank having4 a smooth resilient lining onvthe interior thereof and a hole in the base thereof and a bearing for mounting an agitator shaft F, having a flange secured to said'base around said hole and overlapping said lining wherelimited to the specific embodiment shown or 1 methods described and that various deviaby said resilient lining may serve as a washer for said flange.

4. In a washing machine, a washing tank having a smooth thin rubber lining vulcan ized to the interior thereofand a hole in the base thereof and a bearing formounting an agitator shaft therein having a flange secured to said base around said hole and overlapping said lining, whereby said rubberv lining may serve as a washer for said flange.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE R. KELTIE.

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